6 Day Northern North Island Lord of the Rings Private Tour

6 Day North Island Lord of the Rings Tour

‘Hobbiton’ – ‘Mordor’ – ‘Emyn Muil’ – ‘Mount Doom’ – ‘River Anduin’

This tour is perfect for Lord of the Rings fans that want to see the films’ majestic sites of the North Island but don’t have enough time to explore the whole country. Highlights include: A 2 hour guided tour around Hobbiton amidst beautiful Waikato farmland, the magic of an overnight in Tongariro National Park with a helicopter flight over breathtaking Mt Doom and a rafting trip down the River Anduin. Sit back, relax and enjoy the luxury of being transported by one of our expert local private driver guides.

Day 1 – Arrival Auckland

You will be welcomed to NZ and met by one of our friendly guides, where your epic journey through Middle Earth begins! Today we will take a trip to the top of the Auckland Sky Tower and view the City of Sails from 300 m above, wander through the bustling streets of New Zealand’s largest city and venture up to Mt Eden; a stunning viewpoint and one of New Zealand’s most famous volcanic craters. Tonight serves you up the possibility to eat in one of Auckland’s many waterfront restaurants as we watch the world ‘sailing’ by.

Day 2 – Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton – 262km (4 hours)

Today you farewell the ‘City of Sails’ and head south to Rotorua; a hot spot for Maori culture and thermal activity. En route you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire’s Rest, the only remaining film set from filming of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. Arrive in Rotorua in the afternoon and take a city tour featuring Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront. Tonight you have the opportunity to experience Maori Culture at its best with a 3 course meal and cultural performance.

Day 3 – Rotorua to Tongariro National Park – 178km (2.5 hours)

Heading south through ‘Thermal wonderland,’ your first stop for the day is Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland – A Wonderland of Stunning Geothermal Activity. You will visit New Zealand’s largest thermal mud pool, sinter terraces and stunning hot and cold pools of many different colours. Heading south stopping at the mind-blowingly powerful Huka Falls en route, you will reach Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, where you may wish to stop for lunch and hopefully view Mount Doom across the lake! Arriving in Tongariro National Park, you are surrounded not only by active volcanoes and the beautiful Mangawhero Falls and Taiwhai Falls (Gollum’s pool) but several other LOTR filming locations, including areas used to portray Mordor, the rocky wasteland of Emyn Muil and the stunning volcano of Mount Ngaurauhoe, known by LOTR fans as the one and only Mount Doom! As most of these sites cannot be reached by road, you will be taken on a scenic helicopter flight, giving you the best views of these secluded filming locations. This evening you will enjoy a three course meal at the picturesque Chateau Tongariro.

Today you will drive to River Valley Lodge, where you will be taken on a full day rafting trip down the Rangitikei and Moawhango Rivers; entitled “Grand Canyons of the Rangitkei.” This journey will take you on a breath taking rafting trip through gorges of enormous proportions, drifting through dramatic landscapes which portrayed the stunning “River Anduin.” On your return, there is a chance for a bungy jump, flying fox or swing! You will return to Tongariro National Park this afternoon.

Today you will return to Auckland via the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Waitomo is New Zealand’s most extensive underground caving network. Here you will take a 1 hour guided tour through the spectacular Caves and see the impressive glow-worms that light up the cave roof and stalagmite rock formation. Your drive then takes you through to Auckland City where you can indulge in a delicious dinner or try out one of many rooftop bars near the harbour.